According to a recent report by Juniper Research, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed reinstatement of tariffs on Chinese imports could have wide-ranging consequences for the global telecom industry, particularly in the race toward 6G deployment. If re-elected, Trump plans to impose a 60% tariff on all Chinese goods, a move that could trigger supply chain disruptions and cost hikes across key components used in telecom infrastructure.
The potential impact is twofold: higher prices for telecom hardware and slower rollout of next-generation networks. As much of the global supply chain still relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing—especially for components like semiconductors, antennas, and other network hardware—these tariffs could force U.S. and global telecom companies to rethink sourcing strategies, reallocate budgets, or delay critical upgrades.
While the industry is still recovering from past global supply shocks and working to scale up 5G, the looming trade policy shift introduces fresh uncertainty. For telecom vendors and operators, this may translate into margin pressures, increased complexity in procurement, and accelerated moves to diversify supply chains beyond China—something that could take years to achieve effectively.
6G, which is expected to enable ultra-low latency, real-time applications and industrial use cases, requires global coordination and investment in research and infrastructure. Juniper Research warns that political instability and tariff wars could derail timelines and create fragmented progress across regions.
For the business side of telecom, the message is clear: strategic planning must now include geopolitical risk. As nations pursue technological independence and resilience, companies that proactively adapt to these challenges will be better positioned to lead in the next era of connectivity.
Related News
